Interchangeable selective controlling means including player for musical instruments



Jan. 24, r zs. 1,657,169

CLUDING PLAYER FOR R. MAYHEW INTERCHANGEABLE SELECTIVE CONTROLLING MEANS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed June 4. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 @EEY HAEFTLB 0n his knee He'H come back and Jan. 24, 1928'. 1,657,169

MAYHEW R. INTERCHANGEABLE SELECTIVE CONTROLLING MEANS INCLUDING PLAYER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed June 4, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 J0 zgvaho ATTORNEY Jan. 24, 1928; 1,657,169

MAYHEW R. INTERCHANGEABLE SELECTIVE CONTROLLING MEANS INCLUDING PLAYER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed June 4 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Hill ATTORNEY Jan. 24, 1928.

R MAY H EW INTERCHANGEABLE SELECTIVE CON' IROLLING MEANS INCLUDING PLAYER FQR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed June 4, 1925 5 sheets-Sheet 4 5 INVENTO ATTORNEY uome PLAYER 1 0R 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 R MAYHEW ROLLING MEANS INCL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed June 4 1925 INTERCHANGEABLE SELECTIVE coN'T Jan. 24, 1928.

RED 6'0 Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES earsnr OFFICE,

RALPH MAYHEW, 033 NEW YORK, N. Y,

INTERCHANGEAELE SELECTIVE CONTROLLING MEANS INCLUDING PLAYER FOE MUSICAL INSTB'UMENTEi.

Application filed June 4, 1925. Serial No. 34,759.

My invention relates to selective controlling means which are interchangeable so that they can be reset or reassembled in different combinations in order to bring about certain predetern'iincd actions or series of results. In setting up or arranging the selective controls in a given consecutive order, a definite plan or scheme may be followed by the operator and in doing so, a chart, guide, table, list or plan or composition may be followed guiding means in assembling the controls in their proper order. There are numerous applications which may be made of my present improvements, and l have herewith shown specific use of the mechanism, the many capabilities and various applications ot which are quite manifest. Stated more specifically, one of the principal features of n y invention is the provision of separate detachable control or operatingmembers, each representing a certain character or thing to be done and put in action thereby,

the said members being adapted to be set-up in predetermined order, so that a set of them may be made to produce a certain definite result, by striking them in consecutive order.

Thus for example. when applied to the keyboard of a piano, the several detachable control members each represent and initiate the production of a certain musical-note and is marked so as to indicate to the ope 'ator that it will cause such note to be produced, and the members are set up in consecutive order in accordance with a given notation or composition. A't't-er being thus methodically assembled, the members are struck or depressed in their consecutive order, and thereby actuate the desired series of piano-keys and jlsy the notes in accordance with the score or notation from which the members were set-up and thus render the melody of said notation.

Other features ot my invention comprise the peculiar construction and operation of the control members themselves the group of selectors which are operated by said members through a set i releasors, groups of which are actuated in certain combinations by each of said control members; the series o't actuators which are governed by the sele tors and acuated through the influence of the releasors and which actuators opera-ting uponor through other devices produce'the final results, such for example, as striking the keys of a musical instrument.

My invention is applicable generally to in ca l instruments and in my present application of the invention it is particularly well adapted for use in playing musical in- "nments in which the notes emitted or produced thereby are under the control of certain elements, such for exampleyaskeys, levers, orifices, pneumatic or electric means, or contact devices of any kind. In the adaptation of my improvements as herein set forth, the invention is particularly applicable asan attachment or auxiliary device for playing musical instruments having note-controlling key-boards, as for instance a piano, organ, melodeon or carillon, and in which instruments the note controlling keys are in view and accessible for manipulation by theeoperator.

Gne ot' the objects of my invention is to provide 111 ans whereby a person who is not skilled in playing a musical instrument or who knows nothing about playing such an instrument, is enabled to play on such in- :trrimeut a melody in accordance with a given musical notation or directions by mechanically and methodically following said notation or directions as a guide in assembling in accordance therewith, a series of detached note controlling members in consecuti e order andthcn striking or depressing each of the said members in their consecutive order. and further to aiiord such an inexperienced person a simple and obvious way of striking or sounding any number of tunes a certain desired note which he wishes to hear and observe, Another object of the invent-ion is to enable anyone however lacking in ability to play a musical instrument, to set up detached note-controlling members by following agiven notation or guide, and then by merely striking said members in rotation. to thereby cause the keys or the key-board o? the instrument to play correctly the tune or melody of said notation, at the same time, he may observe the action of the respective keys of said keyboard, so that he may then perform such action directly thereon and thus teach himself to play the melody on the key-board without using the set-up members.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide mechanism of the kind'describedin which by a slight change or increase of certain parts, the" compass or number of musical notes controlled thereby, may be greatly enlarged or increased by the adapta- 5 tion of the theorem of permutations and combinations. In the present embodiment of my invention, the application of this theorem is carried out in the following manner and by means of'the following parts i interacting with each other, namely; a series of detachable. finger-operated note-controlling members; a set of associated releasors; a set of selectors; a set of strikers or plungers for the keys of the key-board ot' the lfiinstrument and each striker having a pivoted actuator, and a universal-bar common to all of the said actuators, but acting upon a only one of the selected actuators when it is moved into the path of said universal-bar.

01 .The depressing of a particular combination of said releasors, byone of the said note-controllingmembers, imparts to the 7 other mechanism the selection and operation, whereby one note and only one note of the musical inst-run'ientis operated. Each of the note-controlling members is con- ,structed soas to depress a certain combination (constituting a certain number out of a possible greater number) of releasing framesand so as to depress a combination distinct from; that which would be depressed by any other of the note-controlling members. The number of such combinations it is necessary to have available to operate a suiti- 5 entq number of notes, is made possible by the theorem of permutations 311Cl'C0111b11121- ,tions. Thus in the construction herewith shown, each note-controlhng member or block 15 constructed so as to depress a certain 40 three out'of a possible six releasing-frames and only that certain three, and the number of such combinations possible in accordance with said theorem (where there is acornbination of three out of a possible six, (at) nm-ixn-zt exsx 1 2 3 i *1' 2 3 Similarly, if the apparatus were constructled sothateach note-controlling member or block would depress a certain three outof a possibleseven releasing frames, the number of such combinations possible in accordance with said'theorem (where there: is a combination of three out of apossible seven, (71)),

,Likewise, if the apparatus were construct "ed so that each note controlling member would depress a certain four out of a possible eight, and again a certain five out of a possible ten releasing-frames, on the same theorem, the number of combinations possi- V the ble would be and252, respectively, so that a vast number of combinations may be controlled by the application of said theorem.

In the apparatus which is herewith shown, twenty notes are operated on-the instrument, but by regulating the mechanism as hereinabove explained, thirty-five, or seventy, or two-hundred and fifty-two, or many more, notes may be operated if so desired, thus the compass and range of tones is practically unlimited as controlled by my improvements.

It will be seen that each of the note-controlling members by virtue of this applica tion of the theorem of permutations and.

is actuated.

()ther important advantages and objects of my invention will appear from the full description and illustration of the apparatus hereinafter set forth.

I have illustrated a type of my invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. 1', shows a perspective view of an ordinary piano with my improved portable player placed on the" keyboard of the piano and with the detachable note-controlling members of the player set up in consecutive order in accordancewithia given notation, whichlatter is shown in Fig. 2, one of the members being shown as depressed and causing the corresponding depression of the piano-key controlled by such member. 7

Fig. 2, shows a sheet of music made in accordance with my invention, as hereinafter described, and containing the melody of Bobby Shafto, and from which'sheet assembled note-controlling members been set up in the player shown in Figjl.

; Fig. 3, is a perspective view, enlarged, of

one of the note-controlling members or blocks, either end of. which may be used to carry or bear the note which it is designed to control.

Fig. 4, is a perspective view of a detached note label or plate which is adapted to be secured to a note-controlling member, and Fig. 5, is a. side view of such a member having its label or note plate attached thereto, the left hand part of the figure being shown in vertical section. 7

Fig. 6, is a top-plan view of four assembled note-bearing and controlling nicmbers'set up in consecutive order. r Fig. 1,1111 its upper part shows diagrammati ally, three of the note-controlling members bearing their respective notes on their fronts, while in the lower part of the figure the said members are shown in side elevation, diagrannnatically, with parts ofsix releaslug-frames disposed beneath said members, the fingers or prongs of which act upon certain of said frames when the member is depressed. 7

Fig. 8, is partly digrannnatic and shows at the left hand end a side view of one of the pivoted selectors, with parts of the six releasing-frames above the same, while at the center and at the righthand part of the view, portions of two other selectors are shown with the adjacent parts of the releasing-frames above them, the portions of said releasingframes shown in this view being the parts which rise and free the selectors, while the portions of said releasing frames shown in Fig. 7, are those portions which are depressed directly by the members and they are the front portions of the releasors, while in the view shown in F ig. 8.'they are the rear portions of the same releasors.

Fig. 9, is a diagrammatic view showing the freeing portions of the releasors and the co-operating prongs or fingers of the selectors lying bepeath the same; the lifting of a group of the releasors by the action of one of the note-controlling members serving to release one selector.

Fig. 10, is an enlarged vertical-sectional view of the player positioned on the piano key-board, which is shown in part, and with the various elements of the mechanism in normal positions.

Fig. 11. is a similar view to that of Fig. 10, but with a portion of the top of the player cabinet broken away and with the various elements shown in their relative positions which they assume when a note-controlling member has been depressed to sound a note.

Fig. 12, is a side view of the counterbalanced universal-bar, with parts in vertical section.

Fig. 18, is a perspective view of one of the pivoted strikers with its pivoted actuator which caused to move by-its selector into the path of the universal-bar.

Fig. 1 1-, is a view on a reduced scale of the player in horizontal section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 14-14, in Fig. 10.

Fig. 15, is an enlarged front view of the player in playing position on the piano keyboard, the player being partly in vertical section and partly broken away at the right hand end thereof, the color markings of the various note-controlling members or blocks being indicated by the labels arranged above the same for the purpose of illustration.

Fig. 16, is a perspective view of a notecontrolling member having a modified ton of note-label.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates an ordinary piano the strings of which are played from the usual key-board having a row of white-keys 2, and a row of black-keys 2-3, which are struck by the fingers of the performer in the usual way to play the instrument.

My improved portable player which is designed as an attachment for the key-board of the piano, comprises a suitable Basing or cabinet 4, which may be made in any desired design, plain or ornamental and which I have here shown in the design of a miniature piano having the contracted upper part above the broader main part 5, on which is arranged the note-controlling member-board 6. The bottom of the cabinet rests directly upon the key-board and at the front are two projections 7, 7, which extend down over the front end of the white-keys and have their ends resting upon the front rail of the keyboard and are provided with set screws 8, 8, engaging padded parts 9, to protect the frame. The adjustment of the screws will allow for different measurements of the different styles and makes of pianos. Jr groove 7, is formed on the inner side of each projection 7, to receive the lip on the end of the white-keys 2, and this serves to hold the player in place when pushed back over the key-board and prevents it raising up in front.

The lower part of the casing has i vran'ger therein in a horizontal row, pivoted striker? 10, 10, which are here shown as twenty i number and operating as many keys of th piano, indicated at 2 and 3. The strikers ar arranged upon the same level and each is pivoted at its rear end on a horizontal rod 11, which is mounted across the interior of the cabinet which is open at the bottom and the strikers rest each upon one key so that after it depresses its key, it is restored to place by the upward movement of said key.

The strikers project forwardly beyond the front ends of the row of black-keys and each of the strikers which actuates a whitekey is provided with a depending part 12, which is suitably padded and engages the key, while each striker which controls a black-key engages the same at point- 13, where a pad of soft material is provider Each black-key striker 10, is provided at its front end with a finger-piece 14, which is colored black to indicate that it operates a black-key as all of the same are concealed from view at the front of the player, only the white-keys showing in front of the player and being accessible to the performer. his construction permits the performer to operate each black-key with his finger through means of said strikers, when he wishes toplay the melody directly on the piano keyboard from memory, or by reading-the notation if he is able to do so. These fingerpieces 14, project. through suitable openings 15, in the front wall of the cabinet, while the white-keys which lie below the level of the bottom edge of the cabinet project still further outwardly so as to be easily accessible to the player.

Each striker 10, is provided at its forward end with a slot in which is pivoted at 17, a rocking actuator 18, which isL-shaped or in the form of a hook, the pivotal point 1 7, be-

ing located at the junction of the long and short limbs and slightly inwardly from the line of the long limb, so that the actuator tends constantly to move inwardly and incline its long member so as to be engaged by the universal-bar, hereinafter referred to,

l the Weight of the shortlimb which is heavier than thelong limb also aids in forcing the actuator within range of the universal-bar. I also make the actuators of practically inin imum weight, in order to prevent the long and front limb from whipping-against the front wall of'tlie cabinet when'moving back into normal position after an opcratiomalthough the return-movement is somewhat checked by reason of the short limb bearing against the rear side of the selector 22, as shown in 10. In order to reduce the noise resulting from the parts colliding with each other, I provide the short limb of each actuator with a felt pad 19, and the end of the long limb with a felt pad 20. whichlatter is of a peculiar shape being formed with a notch or shoulder 21, which serves to center the end of the actuator in operative position beneath the universal-bar. By pivoting the actuator in the VGl'lllCfllmSlOl] 16, of the striker, the actuator is always maintained firmly in vertical position.

Each'actuator'is operated by a selector 22,

- which causes the same to be moved into operative position beneath the forward part. or stretch of the universal-bar 23. Each of the selectors is substantially (shaped and the stem part thereof extends downwardly between the limbs of the actuator so that its end engages the inner side of the front limb.

7 make it noiseless in its action on the actuator. One of the branches 25, of the selector is shorter than the other branch 26,tand is swung from a horizontal shaft 27-, which extends across the interior of the casing. and has its ends secured in the end walls thereof.

This short branch 25, is provided with an opening 26, in the plane of the same, (see Fig. 15) to permit the free passagetherethrough of the front arm of the counterpoise 28, hereinafter described, and which in this connection has the function of spacing the jects rearwardly somewhat horizontally and is-provided upon its upper side with prongs or teeth 30, 31 and 32, which extend upwardly and differ somewhat in width and in their inter-spaces on difierent selectors, and

in some instances two prongs are merged into one to simplify the structure. As only one selector of the set, is operated at a time, the construction and arrangement of the prongs on a selector determines which one is to be brought into operation, and the operative prongs of each selector are counterparts correspondingly operative prongs or teeth of note-controlling member, hereinafter described, and which gives the initial movement to the apparatus which results in freeing the prongs of a selector from the restraint of certain releasing means. The ends of the selector prongs are provided with elt pads 33, for preventing all noise between such parts and the releasors.

The releasing means in the construction herewith illustrated comprises six units which are simultaneously operated three at a time, since the note-controlling members in the present instance are designed to actu- 1 ate three out of six releasing units. These releasors are in the form of rectangular frames 3A, 35, 36, 37, 88, and 39, which are "preferably made of metal, and they are nested one within the other in concentr c manner, the frames decreasing in their onclosing areas, from the outer frame 3- to the innermost one 39. The releasing frames are ,frontrfor thedepressing engagement with the note-controlling members, hereinafter described. each releasing frame are looselypierced by the shaft 27, on which the selectors swing,

the location of the shaft being eccentric as it s nearer the front stretches than'the rear,

so that the frames tend to swing upwardly out of the horizontal and to that extentsus- V tain the superimposed note-controlling members which are in direct engagement with the front of the frames, and are indicated by the numerals 40,40 These note con- ,rolling members or blocks are arrranged The'side stretches or members of side by side like a key-board, are loose independent'pieces which may be set up in a' built up row in the holder or four-sided enclosure a l, which keeps them in assembled order and serves as aguide-for the vertical movement of each member when it is depressed and moves up again. The deprescasing.

sion of each controlling member or block 40, pushes down three of the six releasing frames on which the members rest, the frames so depressed strike the side bars 23, of the universal-bar 23, and which side-bars rock on bearings 42, each mounted on a bracket 43, secured to the back wall of the The side-bars of the universal-bar are connected together at their inner ends by a thick strip M, which may be of metal to serve as a counter-weight for the same, and the downward range of movement of this counter weighted end is limited by a stop 45, which is provided with a felt pad to prevent the part from making a noise when it strikes the stop. The descent of each note controlling member acts to depress the forward side of three of the releasing frames, while their rear sides are raised and thereby release one of the selectors which in turn causes its actuator to tip inwardly into the path of the descending universalbar, which is pushed down by the depression of said forward side of the releasingframes. In making the strikers, actuators and selectors, I have used wood and have made the actuator heavier at the back than at the front, and the selectors heavier at the front than at the back and both just barely so, in order that they may respond when released, without unduly increasing the amount of weight it is necessary to have in the freeing parts of the releasors in order to hold down the selectors and pivoted actuators when not in operation, and this .without unduly increasing the amount of pressure necessary to depress the note-controlling member. The upper edges of the forward parts of the side-bars 23 of the universalbar, are provided with a layer of felt d6, se 7 at such an angle that whichever set of releasing frames is depressed, all thr e are firmly pressed down on the universal-bar and thus minimizes the noise and makes the operation firmer and smoother.

' Although the notecontrolling members 40, when made of wood are not very heavy, I prefer to take up some of the dead weight of these members by providing each one with a counterpoise 28, which are mounted to rock on a rod 75, having its ends secured in brackets 76, secured to the inside of the sides of the casing and projecting upwardly within the space enclosed by the innermost releasing-frame 39, in order to clear the frames. At each side of the bearing of the counterpoise. is a hub 47, and the ends of these hubs come together and space the Weight oil of the releasing frames and this reduces the amount of weight it is necessary to have in the freeing parts of the releasors to hold the blocks up as well as to hold the other inside members down when not in operation.

The note-controlling members or blocks 40, are detachable loose units, each having one or more note-bearing faces and are designed to be set up side-by-side in consecutive order in the holder 4d, and in accordance with a given notation and form a playing board for the performer. These members are of uniform dimensions and are I- shaped in horizontal section, so that the main part is web-like and provides the finger-contact by which the finger depresses the member, this part being indicated at 49, while the T-shaped ends provide guide portions reciprocating vertically in the ways between the ribs 50, fixed in the two opposite sides of the holder, and they also serve to space the members laterally from each other. The rear wall of the holder is provided with soft material 51, against which the members take, in order to deaden the noise of the same in their vertical movements. The front of the holder is formed with a transparent part 52, through which the front note-bearing faces of the assembled members may be clearly seen and read by the performer, and this part may be glass and is removable for the purpose of cleaning it.

From practice, I have found that this I- shaped form of the block 40, has the advantage of materially reducing the length of the playing board of the instrument as compared with blocks having uniform thickness in horizontal section, and that the narrow web part affords perfect finger-contacts giving full clearance with respect to the adjacent members when depressing a member with the finger.

In order to halve the number of notecontrolling members, I provide both the broad outer faces thereof with note bearing places, thus making the members reversible, end for end each such face is formed with horizontal spaced lines 53, representing part of the music staff, and are adapted to receive removable note-bearing plates or labels 54, each representing a different musical note in the usual manner of such notation. The note-bearing plates 54, are made of transparent material, such for example as celluloid, and on the back carries an attaching lug 55, which takes into a hole 56, formed in the face of the block, as shown particularly in Figs. 4 and I also show a modified form of the note-bearing plate 54', in Fig. 16, wherein the plate is provided with two oppositely arranged flanges at the edges for gripping around the vertical edges of the broad ends of the block to hold the plate in operative postion. These gripping forms of note-plates may be readily applied to either the front or back face of the block, the same as described in reference to the other'form' of plate. By thus utilizing both ends of the blocks to reduce the necessary number employed, I reduce the cost of. the apparatus and further make it less difiicult for the operator in selecting the blocks for assemblage in'accordance with the guiding notation which he is following in setting up the blocks.

As thepresent form of apparatus uses six releasors of which three are simultaneously depressed in the operation of each notec'ontrolling member 40, each member necessarily has three separate engaging points for engaging the three releasors and these points may be provided in various different ways, the one way here shown being by means of projections or prongs 60, 61 and -62,"which are of considerableflength so as to provide long inter-spaces for the reception of the front stretches of the group of releasor frames "34 to 39, which remain tin-depressed when three of their mates are depressed,as will be understood more particularly from Fig. 11, the prongs of the member reaching between the undepressed releasors, as the member is'pushed down by the performer.

In order to determine the proper selection of the releasors to be depressed by a member 40, the prongs thereof are arranged and constructed differently oneach member which is to control a different note in the ultimate operation of-the apparatus on the key-board of the musical instrument. To accomplish this, the prongs 60, 61 and 62, are located relatively different on the different members, with respect to the front and rear faces of the members, as will be understood vmore particularly from the diagrammatic views in-Fig. 7 See also Figs. 3 and 5. v In Fig. 7 the member 40, shown at thelower left hand side of the Fig. is the one shown in Figsql0 and 11, in its assembled note-playing position, and its prongs depress releasors 34, 36 and 38, and in so doing release three correspondingly arranged prongs 30, 31 and '32, of a selector 22, which is thereby called into action, and only that one. It may here be observed in considering the reversability of each member 40, that if the member just referred to in Figs. 10 and 11, be reversed,

end for end, its prongs 60, 61 and 62, would then be located in relatively different places and they would then depress releasors 35,

37 and 39, which before were the un-d'epressed ones; In both of the described instances, the prongs depress alternate releasors, but in many instances adjacentreleasors are to be depressed and in such cases the prongs do nothave inter-spaces,

'butare preferably merged together, particularly when made of wood, and as shown in Figs. 3-and 5,-and at the right-hand of Fig.

bar.

teem-st 7. As the co -related prongs of the selector project upwardly and those of the member or block 40, project downwardly, the selector-prongsare reversely arranged as compared therewith. It will also be observed thatthe piano-key which any one'of the controlling members 40, is designed toactuthe narrow edge of the relea-sors 34: to 89,

I formthe contacting end with a recess or groove 63. I

From the foregoing description,- it will be seen that when a certain combination of the releasors is depressed at the frontbya certain finger-operated controlling member d0, that combination ofreleasors is elevated at the rear and the selector 22, having prongs on its upper side corresponding reversely with the prongs on the unders de of the memher, is released and that selector (and no other of the series of twenty) being free to move with its prongs risingin the unobstructed spaces between the releasors remaining at rest, and being slightly heavier in the front, swings upwardly at the back and backwardly at the front away from contact with its actuator which is held inv ver'l" "ll position before its releasal, and said actuator being heavier at the back than at the'front swings or tips backwarchv until the felt-e3 projection 21, on its upper end rests against the universal bar 23, which comes into its lowest position a moment later. jl Vhen the actuator first reaches this position, the rement start. to depress the universal-bar, the

actuator, selected above described, is already in position to receive the blow of the universal-bar, which will. cause the striker to which it is pivoted, to depress and strike has lie

the proper note on the key-board of the musical instrument. lnother words, the controlling member in its downward movement accomplishes two 5 gar-ate operations, one following after the other. First, it causes the releasors in the first fractional part of their downward movement, to release the proper selector sufficiently to permit the actuator governed by it to move backward into position to receive the blow of the universal Second, itcauses the releasors after they have moved slightly towards the universal-bar, to depress it which in turn depresses the actuator selected bythe selector ends of which are padded and and thus in turn depresses the striker to which said actuator is pivoted.

The controlling-members 40, each accomplishes the two said operations in quick succession as it is struck downward, and therefore plays the particular note it is intended and marked to play, and no other note whatever. As it does this whether placed in one location oranother above the releasors, and each of the other members of the series plays, similarly, the particular note it is marked to play regardless of location to right or left of the member-board, it follows that when the members are selected by their markings to match and follow the notation of a melody or tune and placed in the apparatus in the sequence selected, the members when depressed one at a time from left to right in sequence, will play the given melody on the musical instrument upon which the apparatus is placed and accomplish the purpose of the invention through this novel application of the theorem ot permutations and combinations to the interrelated parts, as described. The capacity or the application of this theorem as found in the present construct-ion wherein three out of six releasors are simultaneously depressed by the action of one of the note controlling members 40, may be seen from the diagrammatic view in Fig. 9, in which the selector prongs 30, 31 and 32, are shown as held in restraint and accordingly governed by the six superimposed releasors to 39, the lift ing of any three of which at a time, releas ing all of the prongs of some one of the sclectors carrying said prongs, but only so releasing the one. This Fig. 9, may be studied in connection with Figs. 7 and 8, when it will be further seen that the note-controlling member prongs 60, 61 and 62, of which the said selector-prongs are counterparts reversely disposed, determine which selector is to be brought into action through the inter mediate elements or releasors.

By using both broad ends of each member 40, as anote-bearing place, the members may be reversed and when so reversed the actuating elements or prongs thereof will depress a different group of the releasor frames and consequently cause adi'tl'erent note to be struck on the key-board o1 the musical instrument. It, for example, the member 40, shown in its depressed position in Fig. 11, as having depressed releasorframes 3%, 36 and 38, be reversed, it will then depress the group of releasors 35, 37 and 37, and a different note will accordingly be played.

As a further precaution in making the mechanism as noiseless as possible, 1 provide the side-bars 23, of the universal-bar with upwardly extending lugs 23", the take against the under side of the shaft- 27, so that the words Black,

the form in which the plates are tra this tilting structure is stopped both at these points forwardly of the axis of motion and at the point in the rear where the counterweight rests upon the bracket 45.

in forming the various note-controlling members of the requisite series, each one has the same number of actuating elements or prongs, in the present case three pron s, be cause the apparatus herein shown calls for the combination of any three out of a possible six releasors being actuated simultaneously by each of said members. These three prongs or teeth are disposed with respect to which of the six possible positions they may have on the member, so as to give each of said members a distinctive combination of elements or prongs which give it an identity of its own and different from the other members of the set. The identifying combination ofeach member is assigned to one particular note ot the series of notes capable of bein oia ed by the whole set of the inenr ca l t bore, in the present case there are twenty, running from low Q to high When thus constructed each member is marked or labeled with its assigned note, as hereinabove described, and in setting-up the loom members they are chosen by their note markings in accordance with any ordinary musical notation and which an inexperienced per can readily follow and be enabled to p such melody.

I further employ a color scheme in counection with identifying" the proper 1 her to be chosen for its place in the set row, as the color simplifies this selection a child. For example, in the notation 5 shown in Fig. 2, the note is col-orev black, the second and third, orange, and the fourth green, as indicated at 553, 6'5, 67 and 6S, and the loose members sit), to be embied are selected in accordance with these assigned. colors and placed in the note-member board, as shown in Fig. l, and in greater detail in Fig. 15, in which latter ligure the Orange etc. are uten on the drawing adjacent such colored members.

The note bearing plates or labels 534, are each marked to indicate the "it i. e. the metrical length, some being whole notes,

others halves, quarters and e are des gned to be applied by the individual note-controllin as the same are selected for emblage in the holder, so that in addition to sel cting the propermember for each note on the musical notation, the proper note-bearing plate is also selected and placed on its mem her in agreement with the musical notation; thus in operating the assembled members the operator is enabled to observe the time and depress each member accordingly. in

the 53, which is marked on the resemtive members may be seen through the plate,

iii)

which is either attached in fixed position when it is provided with the peg, as described, or is slidingly mounted on the memher when in'the described modified form. In each instance the label or plate is properly positioned on the member in its appropriate relation to the stafi 53, marked thereon. In some cases a child might only resort to' assembling the members 40, merely in accordance with the color schemeabove referred to and in that event the tune could be played irrespective of time. In another case, the child might wish to go further and give som attention to the time factor assigned to the respective notes and in that event after selecting the member 40, in accordance with color, it may take the extra care to select the time note bearing labels still in accordance with the musical notation, and apply them to their respective members to utilize the element of time for the various notes.

I further employ on the music notation,

the scheme of a running picture located adjacent the staff 69, on which the words of the song appear. In this picture. 70, I illustrate subjects in agreement with the 'words of the song. For example, beneath the words Bobby Shaftos gone to sea is an extendedpicture, the various scenes and subjects of which illustrate the meaning of the said words in a manner that is readily remembered and interpreted by a child to give concrete significance to the abstract notation and so the adjacent note in the childs mind as to materially aid it in selecting the note-members, as well as to give a visualized objective and stimulate its interest in setting-up or composing the loose members and obtaining. the resulting opera.- -tion, whereby'the child may play the melody of this notation through this means. 7

l hen the members 40, are dismounted they may be placed in a box or tray in groups according to their colors so as to.

aid the performer in again selecting them to setthem up in a row. i

it will thus be seen that by my improvements, anyone however unschooled in music or in playing a musical instrument is given a facility of readily playing a piece of music onthe instrument and with the assurance of its being correctly played. Again, where one identifies the note of a certain member d0, he can sound that note at will and re- 1 peatedly by merely placing such member on key of the same by striking the proper mem ber of the row. Incidentally one may play 'a given melody backwards or in reverse.

order, by beginning with the last member of the row and depressing them in consecutive order towards the left and in so doing may not only derive therefrom much amusement, but may in fact thereby develop a new melody or obtain from such reversal a substantial clue or lead to anew composition.

The reversibility oi? the controlling mem- 1 bers 40, is a feature of great importance in my invention, and as hereinabove described, is due to the tactthat the bearing or operating p'oints of each block are disposed in a non-symmetrical relation reckoning from the which series is acted upon at the same time 7 in a certain combination increasesa great many times the number of actions ultimately produced by the operation of these members.

It preferred the holder 44-, may be made removable and in such case more than one may be used, so that a dismounted holder may have a set of the controlling 'members set-up in-a chosen order and then be substituted on the player for: the holder which has just been used. This would provide an additional feature of amusement for children in using the player.

I wish to be understood as not limiting my invention to the particular construction of the various different parts of the apparatus as herewith illustrated, as it is manifest that various modifications may be made in the same, without, however, departing from the spiritof my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to'secure by Letters Patent is;

1; In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means includingelements operative to cause the sounding of dlfferent notes of the instrument, and separable members for operating said note sounding means each representing a certain musical note and capable of being arranged in any desired order and operable to actuate said note-sounding means to produce the musical note which each member'represents.

2. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the sounding of different musical notes of the instrument, and detached interchangeable members for operating said note-sounding means each representing a certain musical note and dis posable in a desired sequence and operable to actuate said note-sounding means to produce the musical note which each member represents irrespective of the sequential location of the member.

3. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the sounding of different notes of the instrument, and loose n'iembers for operating said note-sounding means each representing a certain musical note and having constructions varying in accordance with the note assigned to its control and operatively related to said notcsounding means to produce the note which each member represei'its.

at. In apparatus for. playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the sounding of different notes of the instrument, and disconnected members for operating said notesounding means each representing a certain musical note and capable of being arranged in any desired order and operable to actuate said note-sounding means to produce the musical note which each member represents, and means for increasing the number of musical notes so controlled by adaptation of the theorem o'l permutations and combinations.

5. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements 01 erati'veto cause the production of ditlercnt musical notes of the instrument, detached members for operating said note sounding means each representing a certain musical note and adapted to be placed in sequence in accordance with a given musical notation and operated consecutive to render the melody of said musical no ion.

6. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the production of different musical notes of the instrument, det ched members for operating said notesounding means each representing a certain musical note and adapted to be assembled in sequence in accordance with a given musical notation and operated consecutively to produce said notation melody, the said members in such assemblage physically representing to the eye the said musical notation by means of certain adopted markings or characteristics.

T. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements operatire to cause the production of different musical notes of the instrument, detached members for operating said notesounding means each representing a certain musical note and adapted to be placed in sequence in accordance with a given musical notation in which color is employed to associate the proper note-operating member with its proper notation and in such assem blage to physically represent to the eye the said notation by means of adopted marks or features and when operated consecutively to cause the production ot the notation melody. V

8. In apparatus. for playing a musical instrument, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the production or different musical notes of the instrument, detached members for operating said notesounding means each representing a certain musical note and adapted to be set up in sequence in actordance with a given musical notation in which symbols are employed to associate the proper note-operating member with its proper notation and in such assenn blage to physically represent to the eye the said notation by means of certain adopted marks and when operated consecutively to cause the production of the notation melody.

9. In apparatus for playing a musical in strument, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the production of different musical notes of the instrument, detached members for operating said notesounding means each representing a certain musical note and adapted to be set up in sequence in accordance with a given musical notation and when operated to thereby cause the production of the said notation melody and to visually fix in the mind of the operator as the members are operated one by one the particular notes on the mustal instrument he should operate in playing the melody directly on the instrument independently of said note operating members from the duplication of the notation visible on the assembled members before him.

10. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, provided with a key-board for playing it, note-sounding means including elements operative to cause the production of ditl'erent musical notes or" the instrument, detached members for operating said notesounding means each representing a certain musical note and adapted to be set up in sequence in accordance with a given musical notation and when operated in consecutive order to cause the non-consecutive operation of the keys of the hey-board in correspondence with said notation.

11. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument provided with a key-board for playing it, key-operating means including elements operative to cause the playing of different keys of the key-board, detached members for operating said key-operating means each representing a certain key or note and adapted to be set up in sequence in accordance with a given musical notation and operated consecutively to govern the non-consecutive operation of the visible keys of the key-board and to visually lix in the mind of the performer the keys to he struck by him directly on the musical instrument in playing the melody without manipulating sa' l operatingmembers.

12. In apparatusfor playing a musical instrument provided with a hey-board tor playing it, a set ol' strikers corresponding to lUU lit)

Ill

the keys of said key-board for operating said keys, a supplemental finger or keyboard including a set of separable members each representing a. certain musical note and adapted to be set up in consecutive order in accordance with a given musical notation and to be operated consecutively, and means intermediate between said members and said strikers for causing the said keys of the keyboard of the musical instrument to be operated to play the melody of said notation,

when the said members of the supplemental key-board are struck in succession.

1". In apparatus for playing a musical instrument provided with a set of keys for playing it, mechanism for striking separate keys or the set, means for selecting a striker :lor actuating a particular key, said selecting means being provided with lingers or projections disposed in a certain predetermined manner determined by the key to be struck, detached operating-moi bers each representing a certain note or key and capable of being set up in any desired order and each capable of causing thepla-ying of the key it represents, and means for cperatively connecting said members when set up with the lingers or projections of said selecting means.

14:. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument provided with a-set of keys for playing it, mechanism for striking different keys of the set, means for selecting a striker for actuating a particular key, detached operating-men'ibersconstructed in a manner to effect the selection of a certain striker for actuating a certain key and capable of being set up in any desired order, said selecting means being constructed in counterpart of said operating-members, and intermediate mechanism between said counterparts of the members and selecting means,

15. In apparatus for playing a musical instrumentprovided with a. of keys for playing it, mechanism for striking separate keys of the set, means for selecting a striker for actuating a particular key, detached operating-members each representing a certain note or key and capable of being set up in any desired order and each capable of causing the playing of the key it represents, said members having fingers or projections disposed in a certainpredetermined manner determined. by the key to be struck, said selecting means also having lingers or proj'ec-tions disposed in counterpart relation to those of said members, and means for operatively connecting said fingers or projections of said members and selecting means when said members are placed in operative positions.

16. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument having a set of keys for playing it, means for striking'the dilierent ke and means for Selecting the key to be s set of separable operating members each provided with a group of projections or prongs disposed in predetermined relation to each other so as to control a certainselector and capable of bcingset up in the. order of a given musical notation, the said selecting-means being also provided with individual groups of projections or prongs and releasors normally engaging the same, the said individual groups of prongs of the selecting-means being counterparts of those of said members, and said releasors being governed by each one of said members, whereby the operation of any one of said members causes arelease of the individual groups of prongs of said selecting-means corresponding to those of said operated member and thereby actuates the selector controlled by said membe 17. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument by operating the different notes of said instrument, strikers for said notes, means for selecting the particular striker to be operated, a set of detachable note-controling members each provided with a group of prongs disposed in predetermined relation with each other and controlling the striking of a certain note, the said selecting-means being also provided with individual groups of prongs which are counterparts of those of the different members and arranged in the reverse order, releasors engaged by the prongs ot said members and engaging the prongs of said selectors and being constructed and arranged so that when the prongs of an operated-memberacts upon the releasor the latter then releases the selector having said counterpart prongs.

18. In apparatus for playing a musical instrumentby operating the difl'erent notes of said instrument, strikers for said notes, a

set of selectors for said strikers, a set of detachable note-controlling members each provided with a group'of actuating elements disposed in predetermined relation with each other so as to control a certain note of the V to release the selector having actuating elements corresponding with the operated-member.

of said instrument, strikers for said notes, a set of selectors for said strikers and means for actuating the striker selected by a selector, a set of detachable note-controlling members and a group of predeterminedly ar- 7 ranged prongs actuated by each member,

19. In apparatus for playing a musicallnstrument by operating the dillerent notes" each said"selector-having individual groups of operating prongs which are Counterparts of the operating prongs of the respective members, a set of concentric rocking releasors engaged in groups thereof upon one side by the groups of prongs of said ine'mbers'and engaging upon the fothcr'si'de of the groups or" prongs of said selectors, whereby whens member is depressed its controlled prongs depress as many of the releasors as there are prongs of said men'i'bera-nd the releasors' in turn tree a selector having prongs'corrcsponding to those of the depressed member, thereby operating the note 'g'oi' crned by'sai'd selector.

20. In apparatus for playing a musical instrumentbyoperating the no'tes oi' said instrument, strikers for 'saidno'tes, a set of selectors for said strikers and provided with actuators for operating the strikers,- a universal-bar common to all of said actuators for operating the strikers, a set of note-controlling members each having actuating elements disposed in predetermined relation with each otli'erso as to control a certain note of said instrument,- the said selectors being also provided with actuating elements which are counterparts'ot those otthe respective members, a'set otgroeking releasors engaged in groups thereof by'the act-uatimg elements of said members and-themselves engaging in groups the actuating elements 0t said selectors, whereby when a member is depressed its actuating elements depress a group of said releasors which in ttirn release a selector having anactuating element group corresponding to those of said member and at the same time said depressed releasors operate said universal-bar and thence the actuator of the selected selector.

21. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument by operating the notes of said instrument, strikers for said notes,'a selector for each striker, an actuator for each said striker and governed by a selector, a universal-bar common to all of said actuators, a set of detachable note-controlling members adapted to be set-up together and each having actuating elements disposed in a redetermined relation to each other so as to control a certain note of said instrument, the said selectors being also provided with ac tuating elen'ients correspo'i'iding with those of the respective members, a set of concentric rocking releasing frames having differentgroups thereof engaged upon one side of said frames by the actuating elements of said members, the opposite sides of said selector frames being engaged by the actuating elements of said selectors in groups eel-responding to the group engagement by said members, and said 'rele'asor frames when depressed by pmember being movedinto engagement with and actuating said universalbar, whereby the depressing oi a member causes the operation'ot the note of said in strument in agreement with the note said member represents. I

22.In apparatus for playing a musical instrumei'it by "operatiiig the notes of said instrui'ncnt, strikers for said notes, each striker be'ingp'rovided with a pivoted actuator normally tendin to move inwardly, each actuator havi'nga selector engaging it to hold it out of action, a universal-bar com IIIOD to all of said actuators and operating upon the one moved into its path, a set of releasors, a set of note coi'itrol ling members each having 'a series of bearing points so positioned thereon as to engage and operate a certain number of the set of releasors but not all, each of said selectors having a series bearing-poiiits which are counterparts oi those ofthe respective members and so positio'ne'd 'on theselect'or as to be engaged and released by the same certain number of releasors operated by said member.

23. In apparatus for playing amusical instru'mei'it by operating the notes o't' said instrumeiit, strikers for the ditlerent notes, each'of said strikersbeing slotted and havingan actuator mounted in said slot and normally tending to move inwardly, a pivotedsel'ector for each'actuator and engaging the same so'as to'liold it out of action,- a universal-b'ar common to all of the actuators and operating the onebrought into its path by a selector, 'a set of re'leasors, a set of notecontrolling members each having a series of bearing-points so positinedthereon as to engage and operate a certain combination of releasors but not all, each of said selectors having a series of bearing-points which are counterparts of those of said members and so positioned as normally to be engaged by said certain combination of releasors and thereby released when the same are operated by the member.

24. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument having a row of operating keys for producing the notes thereof, pivoted strikers adapted to rest upon said keys and each operating its key, a pivoted actuator mounted on each striker, a pivoted selector for each actuator normally engaging the same and holding it out of the path of the universal-bar, a universal-bar common to all of the actuators and depressing the one moved into its path by the action of a selcctor, a "set of releasors, a set of note-controlling members each having a series of bearingpoints so positioned thereon as to engage and operate a certain combination of releasors but not all, each of said selectors likewise having a series of bearing points which are counterparts of those of said members and so positioned as normally to be engaged by said certain fcombination ot' releasors and thereby released when the same are operated by said member.

25. A musical instrument player for oper ating the notes of said instrument and comprising strikers for said notes, each striker having an actuator normally held outof operative position, a set of selectors for said actuators, a set of reciprocating note-controlling members, a set of releasors intermediate between said members and selectors and governed by said members in certa1n combinations and in the same combination governing said selectors, and a counter-poise acting upon each of said members and tending to elevate them.

26. A musical instrument player for operating the notes of said instrument and comprising strikers for said notes, each striker having an actuator normally held out of operative position, each actuator being provided with a pivoted selector provided with an arm' having an opening therethrough and. by which arm the selector is pivoted, a (it reciprocating note-controlling members, a set of releasors intermediate between said members and said selectors and governed by said members in certain combination and in the same combination governing said selectors, a pivoted counterpoise tor each member engaging the same from below and having its engaging part extending loosely through the opening in the arm of the selector controlled by the member engaged by the counterpoise.

27. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument having a row of white-keys and also black-keys, the latter being shorter than the former, a player adapted to be placed over said keys and exposing the free ends of the white keys and concealing the black ones, said player comprising a set of strikers for acting one upon each of said keys, the said strikers which act upon said black keys having a forwardly projecting finger-piece extending beyond the front of the player device so that the performer may thereby strike the black-keys indirectly and strike the white ones directly.

7 tachable note controlling members adapted to be set up in'a row and each being operable to cause the action of a particular one of saidstrilrers, said members bemg formed with a contracted central part for the finger of the operator to press on.

30. A musical instrument player for operating the notes of said instrument and in cross-section.

31. A musicalinstrument player for operating the notes of said instrument and comprising a set of demountable note-controlling members having each a certain note indicated thereon'and each colored in accordance with its note, music notation having the notes colored and in agreement with the colors of the diti'erent members, and a running picture with illustrations of the various subjects referred to in the words of said notation. V

A musical instrument player adapted to be removably mounted on the key-board ot the instrument, said player having a casing for housing the parts thereof, the casing being elongated with the upper portion for about half of its height contracted or receding and forming a shelf portion and simulating the appearance of an ordinary upright piano, a holder on said shelf suitably recessed and adapted to havetemporarily set up therein in any desired order a rowof detachable note-controlling members for operating the player in playing the instrument.

33. In apparatus toroperating a musical instrument controlled by key-board, a series of detached note-controlling members adapted to be arranged in any desired order, and means intermediate between the note-controlling members and the keys for transmitting the actuatingtorce of each note-controlling member to the key controlled thereby regardless of the order of arrangement of the note-controllingmembers,

34. In apparatus for playing a musical instrument, detached note-controlling members varied in construction soas to control different notes of the instrument and adapted to be assembled in the order of a selected musical. notation and operated in succession to effect the rendition of said musical selection on the instrument.

35. A musical instrumentplayer having" a set of loose note-controlling members each 7 adapted to govern the production of a certain musical note of the instrument and capable of being set up in sequence by the operator in accordance. with the sequence of a given musical-notation, said members bearing note-identifying means toidentity them with the respective notes which they control. 36. A musical instrument player having a setot detachable note-controlling members each adapted to-go-vern the production ot a certain muscial note of the instrument and capable of being assembled in consecutive order by the operator in accordance withthe composition of a given musical notation, said members bearing note-identifying means to identify them with the respective notes which they control, and time indicating means adapted to be applied to said notecontrolling members in agreement with the time shown on the said musical-notation.

37. A set of members or keys for playing a musical instrument, and removable timeindicating means adapted to be placed on the said members to indicate the time of the notes controlled by the respective members and in agreement with the time of a given n'iusica'l-notation.

38. A set of members or keys for playing a musical instrument, each of said members being provided with a staff, and removable transparent time indicating plates or labels adapted to be applied-to said members in accordance with the time. factor of the note controlled thereby.

39. In apparatus of the class described, means for eltect-ing the production oi? certain definite actions, and separable interchangeable members t'or initiating said detinite actions and each having means to ac tuate said first mentioned means to effect the production of the particular action which it is designed to represent.

40. In apparatus of the class described, nieanstor etlecting the production of certain definite actions in a. desired order, detachable controlling-members "for initiating said definite actions and each having means to actuate said first mentioned means t effect the. production of the particular action which it represents, and variation means for increasing or diminishing the number of the particular actions so controlled by said members by use of per-imitations and co nbinations, said variation means including a series of releasing devices and connections intermediate thesame and said controllingmembers.

il. In apparatus of the class described, means tor-eii'ecting the production'oi certain definite actions, and detachable controlling-members for initiating said definite actions and. each having-means to acuate said first mentioned means to ettect the production of the particular action which it repre sents, said members being collat-able in sequence in accordance with a prescribed plan and when operated consecutively to thereby cause the product-ion of said certain definite actions.

42. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of certain definite actions, and removable controlling-members torinitiating said definite actions and each having means-to actuate said first mentioned means to effect the production of the particular action which it represents, the said members being disposable in sequence in accordance with a given" plan and operab e consecutively to cause the product-ion oi said certain definite actions, the said members being physically designed or lied to identify each with the particular action which it controls.

.5-3. lnapparatus of'the class described, means "for 'eilecting the production of cerain definite actions and selecting-m ans governing each action. said selecting-means series ol certain definite actions, a set of detachable controlling-members to initiate said definite actions and to be set-up together and each having a certain formation designed to control and cause the production of a certain action,selectors having individual groups of parts which are counterparts of said formations of said members, and connections intermediate betwee said members and said counterparts of the selectingmeans, whereby the operation of one of said members causes the production ot'a certain one of saiddefinite actions.

so. In apparatus of the class described, means for etlecting the production oi a series of certain de te actions, a set of detachable controlling-members to initate sait detinite actions and to be set-up as desired-and each member having a group of operating points or prongs designed and arranged to control and cause the operation of one of said act-ions, selecting-means governing each of said definite act-ions and each selectorhaving individual groups of operatin points or prongs which are counterparts or those of the respective members, and connections intermediatebetween said member operatingpoints and tnose of said selectors for causing any member to operate its corresponding selector and thereby govern and produce the particular action under its control.

4-6. In apparatus of the class described, means for ellecting the production of a series of certain definite actions and a set of selectors for governing each of said actions, a set of separable controlling-members for initiating said definite actions and-each release of a corresponding sel ctor and pro-- duces the action governed thereby.

47. In apparatus of the'class described, means for efiecting the production of a series of definite actions of a certain character and selecting means for governing each of said actions, aiset of detachable controlling-members for initiating said definite actions and each provided with a group} of operating prongs disposed in predetermined relation with each other and controlling a certain one of said actions, the said selecting-means being also provided with individual groups of prongs which are counterparts of those of said members and arranged in reverse order, releasors engaged by said member'- prongs andengaging said selector-prongs and being constructed and arranged so that when the prongs of an operated member acts upon a releasor the latter then releases the selector having said counterpart prongs.

48. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of a series of certain definite actionsand a set of selectors each governing one of said actions, a set of detachable controlling-membersfor initiating said definite actions, and each provided with a group of operating elements disposed in predetermined relation with each other so as to control a certain one of said actions, the said selectors also being provided with individual groups of actuating elements which are counterparts of those of said members, a set of rocking releasors engaged by said members and engaging said selectors, whereby when a member is depressed its operative elements actuate part of the set of releasors and causes the same to release the selector having actuating elements corresponding withthe operated member.

49. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of a series of certain definite actions and a selector for governing each of said actions, a set of cletachable controlling-members for initiating 7 said definite actions and a group of predeterminedly arranged prongs actuated by each member, each said selector having individual groups of operating prongs which are counterparts of those actuated by said respective members, a set of concentric rocking releasors engagedin groups thereof upon one side by said member-prongs and engaging upon the other side said selector-prongs,

whereby when a member is depressed its controlled prongs depress as many releasors as there are prongs ofsaid member and the releasors in turn free a selector having prongs corresponding to those of said depressed member, thereby producing a cer: tain one of said actions.

50. In apparatus'of the class described,

means for effecting the production of a series actuating elements of said members and themselves enga ing in groups the actuating elements of said selectors, whereby when a member is depressed its actuatingelements depress a group of said releasors which in turn release a selector having an actuating element group corresponding to that of said member and at the same time said depressed releasors operate said universal-bar and thence the actuator of theselected selector.

51. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of a series of certain definite actions and comprising operating parts or strikers, a selector for each striker and an actuator therefor, said actuators being governed by'said selectors, a universalebar common to all of said selectors, a set of detachable c'ontrollingemembers for initiating said definite actions and disposable in any desired order and having actuating'elements disposed in a predetermined relation to each other so as to control a certain one of said actionse the said selectors being also provided witlractuating elements corresponding with those of the respective members, a set of concentric rocking releasing frames having different groups thereof engaged upon one side of said frames by the actuating elements of said members, the opposite sides of said frames being engaged by the actuatingelements of said selectors in groups corresponding to the group engagement by said members, and said releasor frames when depressed by a member being moved into engagement with and actuating said universal-bar, whereby the depression of a member causes the operation of a certain one of said actions in agreement with that represented by the depressed member.

52. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of a series of definite actionsand comprising-parts or strikers, each striker being provided with a pivoted actuator normally tending to move into the path of the universal-bar, each actuator having a selector normally holding it out of action, a universal-bar common to all of said actuators andoperating upon the one moved into its path, a set of releasors, a set of controlling-members for initiating said definite actions and each having a series of bearing points so positioned thereon as to engage and operate a certain number of the set of said releasors but not all, each of said selectors having a series of bearing points which are counterparts of those of said members and so positioned on said selectors as to be engaged and released by the same certain number of releasors operated by said member.

53. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of aseries of certain definite actions, comprising operating parts or strikers, each of said strikers being slotted and having an actuator mounted in said slot and normally tending to move into the path of the universal-bar, a pivoted selector for each actuator and engaging the same so as to hold it normally out of action, a universal bar common to all of said actuators and operating the one broughtinto its path by a selector, a set of r'eleasors, a set or controlling-members for initiating said definite actions and each having a series of bearing points so positioned thereon as to engage and operate a certain combination of said releasors but not all, each of said releasors having a series of hearing points wh ch are counterparts of those of said members and so positioned as normally to be engaged by said certain combination of releasors and thereby released when the same are operated by amember.

54l. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of a series of certain. definite actions in sequence, and separate transposable reciprocating controllinganembers for initiating said definite actions and each having means for effecting the production of the particular action which itis designed to represent, and a counterpoise acting upon each of said members and tending to elevate the same.

55. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of a certain series of definite actions in sequence, detachable controlling-members for initiating said definite actions and each having a series of actuating points or elements disposed thereon non-syn'nnetrically with respect to the center of said member and arrangeable in any desired order and each member when so arranged serving to control a particular action of the series of actions, said members being reversible end-tor-end to elfect control of a different one of said actions of the series.

56. In apparatus for actuating a series of elements arranged in a certain order, a corre sponding series of element-actuating members disposable in any desired order, and means for transmitting the actuating force of each of said elementactuating members to the same element of the series regardless of the order of arrangement of the clement actuating members.

57. In apparatus for actuating a series of elements capable of being actuated either in consecutive or non-consecutive order, a series of interchangeable element-actuating members which may be assembled in any desired order and operated consecutively and controlling certain of said elements, and connections intermediate between said series of elements and said series of element-actuating members causing each element to respond to the movementot its controllinganember.

58. In apparatus of the class described, means for effecting the production of certain definite actions, and detachable interchangeable action-controlling members for initiating said actions and each having means to actuate said first-mentioned means to effect the production of the particular action which it represents through utilization of permutations and combinations.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

RALPH MAYHEIV. 

